Improvement in type-writers



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E. T. DAVIS. Type-Writers. No. 197,614. Patented Nov. 27, I877.

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E. T. DAVIS.

' Typq-Writers. No. 197,614.

Patenteo Nov. 27, 1877.

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E. T. DAVIS. Type-Writers.

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EDMUND T. DAVIS, :OFNEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT I N TYPE-WRITERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 197,614, dated November27, 1877; application filed May 1,1877.

To all whom it may concem;

Be it known that 1 EDMUND '1. Davis, of New York city, in the State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements relating toType-Writing Machines, of which the following is a specifica-v tion Myimproved machine is intended for use mainly in producing a sheet printedwith types with a suitable tran sfer-ink, which impressions areafterward to be transferred to stone and printed therefrom by thelithographic process.

' For this purpose perfection of result is more Roman type, another theupper and lower case of Italics, and the third the upper-and lower of afull-face or in some manner diiierent style of type, to be used forheadings and the like. A description of one wheel and its appurtenanceswill sufiice for the whole.

One set alone may be used with tolerable success, and a good portion ofthe benefits of my invention may be realized thereby.

The wheel slides bodily in a track immediately contiguous thereto, sothat the. guides are unusually effective in controlling the positionwithout a liability to irregularity in the position of the impression inconsequence of any lost motion or springing of the parts. The impressionis made not only with the squareness and directness due to a straightmovement of the type to and from the paper, and a steadiness due to theconfining of all the types rigidly in a large wheel, but also withwell-fitted guiding-surfaces in immediate dontiguity'with the wheel. I

v I provide efficient and convenient means for holding the types in thewheel and for changing them at will.

I graduate the degree of projection of the several types from the wheelaccording to the surfaces which they present, so as to allow for theamount of yielding due to the elasticity of the material under thevarying forces of the impressions. Thus the capital W, which presents alarge surface and requires a large amount of pressure, projectsconsiderably more from the wheel than the full point. By this means Isucceed in producing the impression against a yielding resistance with aforce which is graduated. The letters with large faces are distinctlyimpressed, while the periods and other small-faced characters are notimpressed through the paper.

I have a distributing-table, or a considerable area of smoothcylindrical surface on the typewheel, to aid in maintaining the ink welldistributed on the inking-rolls. I provide conveniently for the desiredmovements of the cylinder on which the paper is held, and I providescrew-pins mountedcrownwise in a fixed circle, upon which an inverted-shaped groove in the operating-lever, being pressed by the hand,serves, first, to determine exactly the po sition of the wheel to printthe desired letter; second, to determine the amount of the feed ormovement of the paper, with capacity for readily varying it; and, third,allows of being set to a small extent in one direction or an other bysimply bending the pin.

The following is a description of what I considcr the best means ofcarrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification. Figin'e 1is a'central vertical section. Fig. 2 is a plan view. The remainingfigures represent details on different scales. Fig. 3 is a back viewof aportion on a smaller scale. Fig. 4'is a plan view of a portion of thetype-wheel on a large scale.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures. the exactness of position due to broad and A is a fixedframe-work, of cast-iron or other suitable material. 13 is a treadle,turning on an axis, 1), and giving motion, when operated by the foot,through a rod, B to a bell-crank lever, B turning on a fixed center,subject to the action of a spring, B The result of a pressure of thetreadle B is a depression ofthe back end of the lever B and a backwardmovement of the upper arm thereof, which latter arm produces theimpression by moving the type-wheel, as set forth farther on.

M is a ring-shaped carriage, guided by rigid parallel ways or slides A A,stiffiy connected to the framing A, forming a part thereof. M is a linkwhich connects the carriage M with the upper arm of the lever B. Eachdepres-' sion of the treadle R moves the carriage M horizontally on theslides A.

P is a type-wheel mounted on the carriage M, with liberty to rotatefreely. Its axis is a tube, 10, which is fitted to turn easily. Thetype-wheel P is firmly fixed on the tube 12 below the carriage M. Ahead, P, is firmly fitted on the upper end thereof. A rod, Q, hangsloosely in the center of the tube, and carries on its lower end abutton, Q, its upper face being a plane surface, adapted to serve as astop to arrest the descent of the arm 0'. The upper end of the rod Q islinked to a lever, 0', which is centered and guided on the cross-head P,as represented, and is forced upward by the spring 0'. These partsrotate together.

The lever O is particularly important. It is the part to which the handof the operator is applied, and by which the type-wheel is turned todetermine what letter or character shall be next printed. It is equippedwith a handle, as shown. It plays up and down in a transverse slot inthe upper end of the tube p. It is centered at one extremity of thecrosshead P and plays between two close-fitting parallel guides at theother extremity of said cross-head. This construction insures that thecross-head and its connections shall be controlled by the turning of thelever 0. 1f the latter is accurately placed the cross-head P, andconsequently the type-wheel P, will be correspondingly placed.

A screw, 0, having a rounded end adapted to rest and slide on thehorizontal arm of the lever B, is set in alever, G which is fixed on ashaft, 0, which latter rocks in fixed bearings, and has anotherrigidly-connected arm, 0', the end of which latter stands under thetypewheel. Each depression of the treadle B, and consequently of thelever 13, allows the screw 0, and consequently the lever G, to bedepressed. A spring, acts on the lever C to insure such depression. Thedepression of the lever G and its connections will always proceed to thefull extent allowed by the depression of the lever B unless arrested bysome other means.

The under surface of the the lever 0 is formed with a radial projectingend of V-shaped groove.

Oonically-topped screw-pins m are tapped into and firmly held in theupper face of the ring -M. There are as many pins m. as there areseparate characters in the type-wheel P,

and they are correspondingly distributed.

The'operator, in preparing to print a letter, turns the type-wheel unt'the lever 0 stands over the proper pin m, which may be marked, ifdesired, to aid learners. He then depresses the lever O', and theV-shaped groove therein,

in coming to rest on its proper pin m beneath, turns a little to theright or left in order to receive the pointed top of the pin centrallyin its groove. Any movement of this character imparts a correspondingchange of positionto the rigidly-connected type-wheel P below, andinsures that the proper type is presented in the proper position forprintin g. Now, a movement of the foot of the operator, by depressingthe treadle B, lowers the lever B, and lowers or permits the lowering ofthe lever O. But the extent to which the lever C will follow thedepression of the lever B depends upon which of the pins m the lever 0is at that moment resting on.

If it rests on a long pin, it holds the rod Q and its button Q up, andprevents the sinking of the leverO, and consequently of therigidlyconnected lever 0 but a little ways.

D is a link, which connects the lever G with a short lever, D below.This lever D turns loosely on a shaft, d, which has rigidly connected aratchet-wheel, D equipped with fine ratchet-teeth. A pawl, E, carried onthe lever D engages with the fine ratchet-teeth on the periphery of thewheel D, and at each depression of the lever 0 clicks over one or moreof the teeth. At each elevation of the lever C it gives a correspondingturning motion to the wheel D F is a pawl turning on a fixed center, andoperated by a spring, f, to engage with the teeth of the ratchet D andhold all it gets.

A bevel-gear wheel on the shaft D engages in another bevel-wheel on along and stoutupright shaft, G, which carries a cylinder, H, on whichthe paper I is held. Each movement of the type-wheel P impresses theproper type against the paper I, and also, by lowering the lever Dcauses the pawl Eto change its position on the teeth of theratchet-wheel D. Each return movement of the type-wheel P elevates thelever D, and, by turning the ratchet-wheel D to a proper extent,correspondingly turns the paper-cylinder G, and presents a fresh surfaceto receive the impression of the next type.

The extent of this feeding-motion of the paper after each impression isproportioned to the variable depression of the hand-lever 0. If it wasdepressed upon a short pin, m, and consequently depressed a longdistance, the button Q descended, and consequently the le vers O, O, andD were allowed to descend a long distance, and a considerable number ofthe ratchet-teeth in the wheel D were seized, and a large amount offeed-motion was imparted by the ascent of the lever. If, on thecontrary, the hand-lever O was depressed upon a long pin, an, all thesemotions were .less. The height of the pins m is adjusted accordin g tothe length of feed of the paper required for the letter whichcorresponds thereto. A capital M or W requires a short pin, m. Alower-ease i or 1 requires a tall pin, m,

sothat after producing the impression the paper will be fed forward onlya'very small I amount.

The types X are clamped in the type-wheel P. Radial grooves, having adepth nearly equal to the depth of the body of the type and a width alittle greater than the thickness of the type, are planed or otherwiseproduced in the wheel P. The several types are applied therein in theirproper positions, and then a clampin g-rin g, P, (see Figs. 1 and 4,) isstrongly compressed thereon by the aid of screws 10'.

The inner end of each type abuts against a ring, P, which may beperfectly concentric to the axis, and would hold the faces of theseveral types out to a uniform extent if the types were of-uniformlength; but I graduate the length of the types by removing some of themetal from the back ends, removing the most from the periods, a littleless from the small letters, and so upward until the large types areallowed to remain full length. The very largest types, as capital M andcapital W, may have a little added to theirlength, say, one thickness ofpaper. Thus the working faces of the types project to variabledistances, and, the impression movement being uniform, the impression ismade more severe for the large-face type and less severe for thesmall-face type. This compensates for the unavoidable springing of theshaft G, and causes all the impressions to be practically uniform.

The types are inked by the inking-rollers J, which are mounted in leversJ turning on fixed centers, and held to their work by springs J Theseinking-rollers turn freely on their axes, and roll with the turning ofthe typewheel P, with which they are in contact. They also move with thesliding motion of the typewheel with each impression. The severity ofthe contact between the types and the inkrollers is softened by theaction of the thrustpin M, which extends from the .carriage M, andpresses against a suitable arm on the lever J There is one such arm andone such thrustpin for each lever J.

A portion, P of the surface of the typewheel P is left smooth orunfitted with types. This rolls against the ink-rollers with eachturning of the type-wheel, and keeps the ink evenly laid or distributedon the ink-rollers.

My construction is peculiarly adapted to obtain not only very perfectimpressions, but also unusually-accurate spacing-of the letters.Ordinary imperfections of workmanship, or even considerable mistakes inthe locating of the centers of the several types in the type-wheel, maybe compensated for by slightly deflecting or bending the pins m. Thus,for example, suppose the lower-case i, with the very small amount offeed. of the paper, is found to encroach a little upon the next letter;in other words, it is printed too far ahead on. the paper. The evil isremedied by adjusting the pm at corresponding to that type by applyingany suitable tool to the side of the pin and striking it a suflicientblow to slightly bend it. This changes the position of the pointed topof the pin, so that in future when the lever- 0 is brought down upon itthe type-wheel 1? does not stand in the same position as before, but isenough changed to bring the impression in the right place. Thisadjustment,

by bending the pins m, must, of course, be the last adjustment of thepins, as any turning of these screw-pins m after they are bent wouldviolently disturb the adjustment.

The shaft G is made hollow or tubular, and carries in its lower part aspring, G, which lifts on a bar, L, extending upward in the interior.This bar is formed with a rack, l, with which engages a ratchet orsliding catch, h, which works through a long vertical slot in thetubular shaft G. The shaft G has, on its outside, a similar rack, g,which receives a corresponding ratchet or sliding catch, h. Thesecatches h h are mounted on the upper end of the paper-cylinder H. Theycontrol the position thereof. When it is desired to lower thepaper-cylinder, these catches h h must be forcibly drawn out, by thehands, or otherwise spective racks g I. Then the paper-cylinder H may befreely lowered.

It is desired to elevate this cylinder to a uniform distance at thecommencement of each line. 1 effect this by simply pressing down theinterior bar L, and liberating it again. In depressing the bar L thecatch h holds the cylinder H by remaining engaged with the rack g. Therack Z sinks past the catch h a few notches. Now, on removing thepressure of the hand from the bar L, and allowing the latter to beraised again by the force of the spring G, the rack L acts on the catchh, and compels a corresponding elevation of the cylinder H, the catch hsliding idly on its rack g.

during this upward movement, and then again engaging and contributing tohold the whole firmly in the new position.

The bar L has a slot, Z, in which lies a pin, 9, which is fixed in thetubular shaft G. The slot allows the vertical movement of the bar Lwithin the shaft G.

The extent of this intermittent vertical movement of the cylinder fromone line to another may be graduated by turning the screw L at the top.This screw is tapped into the bar L, as shown, and its end forms theupperboundary of the slot 1.

In depressing the bar L the pin 9 forms a stop, and thus the screw Lregulates the depth to which the bar L can be depressed at eachmovement, and consequently the height to which the cylinder H will beraised at each movement.

A is a pin set in the fixed frame-work. At the beginning of each linethe tubular shaft G and its connections should be turned by the handuntil an arm, L, projecting from the shaft G, strikes the pin A. Thisarm may be set in from their engagement with their rethe bar L, andextend through a slot in the tubular shaft G. I have shown it as somade, and, thus arranged, it performs the double functions of aiding toadjust the position of the cylinder H in commencing each line, and alsoof forming a convenient finger-piece for the application of the hand indepressing the bar L and forcibly turning the whole when necesthrough astrap or keeper, a, under the lever B and arrests the descent of thelatter with mathematical exactness.

When three, or any number more than one, of the type-wheels P areemployed, it is not necessary to correspondingly duplicate the mechanismfor operating the paper-cylinder;

but the change of action from the printing with one wheel to theprinting with another necessitates the turning of the paper-cylinderpartly around preliminary to such change.

The arm A of the framing which supports the upper end of the shaft Grshould, in such case, be replaced by a stout beam or arch, extendingacross the whole top of the machine, thus leaving a clear space for theseveral typewheels to act in. i The inner ends of the ways or slides Arequire to be supported independently by stout posts or otherwise, and,the several type-wheels P being placed in position with their severalguides, provision must be made for operating each at will by the same ordifferent treadles.

Various modifications may be made in the details. A separate screw maybe mounted behind each type to force it out or allow it to be pressedback at will, as required, to secure a more delicate adjustment; or, onthe other hand, it may be sufficient, in most cases, to simply grind offa little from the inner ends of the smallest types, and to allow theothers to remain ungraduated.

The pin H, which I have shown as sunk into a groove in thepaper-cylinder to hold the paper, may be replaced by more elaborateclamping means for holding the paper. The treadle, which I have shown asoperating with a large amoimt of motion, may work satisfactorily withmuch less motion.

The ink-rollers, which I have shown as two,

mounted each close to the printing-point, one on each side, may befarther apart, and there may be greater number. Elaboratedistribtitling-rollers may be connected to apply the in r.

Instead of allowing the long tubular shaft to be unsupported, andproviding the above compensations for the variable spring in printingdifi'erent types, I can back the paper-roller H by one or more shortsmooth rollers pressing against the paper above the printed part, or

between the lines of print. As such rollers bearing with force againstthe paper, would interpose friction to resist the necessary raising andlowering of the paper-cylinder, I providea hollow side in each backing-roller, which hollow side is to be turned toward the main rollerpreliminary to every raising or lowering movement.

Fig. 5 is a plan, showing such modification with the backing-roller inposition for use. Fig. 6 is a corresponding plan view, showing thebacking-roller in position to allow the raising or lowering of thepapercylinder. Fig. 7 is a plan view, showing the arrangement for theuse of three type-wheels, as above described.

Some of the features of the invention may be useful without the others.Thus, I can opcrate very successfully without the pins m, by

simply providing other means to determine the position of the wheel, andhaving a continuous rim of varying height upon the dialplate todetermine how low the lever G and, consequently the lever D", may sinkat each movement.

I claim as my invention 1. The ways A, carriage M, and type-wh eel P, incombination with the paper-cylinder H, as herein specified.

2. In combination with the slender, and con- -sequently yielding,paper-roller H, the revolving type-wheel P clampingring P and fasteningmeans 1), when the types X are set,

to project forward to unequal distances from i the axis, as and for thepurposes herein set forth.

3. The thrust-pins M in combination with the levers J ink-rollers J, ands rings J and. with the carriage M and type-wheel P, the latter havingboth a rotatingand bodily movement, as herein specified.

4. The ink-table P on the type-wheel P, in combination with theinking-rollers J, papercylinder H, and means, substantially asdescribed, for imparting a bodily as well as rotary motion, as hereinspecified.

5. In combination with type-wheel I, revolving and moving bodily, asdescribed, the adjustable pins m on the carriage M, and the lever O,recessed on its under face, the recess or the pins or both being formedwith inclined surfaces adapted to serve as and for the purposesdescribed.

6. The internal bar L and rack Z, in combination with the tubular shaftG" and rack g, spring .G', paper-cylinder H, pawls h h, and with thetype-wheel P, as herein specified.

7. The pin g in the tubular shaft G, in combination with the bar L,having a slot, 1, and with the adjusting-screw L, adapted to adjust the1space between the lines, as herein specifier 8. The arm L on theinternal bar L, in combination with a corresponding arm on the oppositeside, and with the tubular shaft G, provided with slots adapted toperform the double functions of finger-pieces for the depression of thebar L and as turning means for effecting the rotation of the whole, atwill, as herein specified.

9. The paper-cylinder H, with means for turning it around to any desiredextent, at will, in addition to the provisions for feeding, as shown, incombination with two or more typewheels, P, arranged to apply fromdifferent directions, as herein specified.

EDMUND T. DAVIS.

Witnesses A. HENRY GENTNER, CHAS. 0. Srn'rson.

